[Results of preoperative preparation with mannitol in colorectal surgery. January-December 1995]

A study on the results obtained in 20 patients selected by the simple randomized method, who were preoperatively prepared for colorectal surgery with the oral administration of manitol and complementary antimicrobial therapeutics at the ASaturnino Lora@ Provincial Teaching Hospital, in Santiago de Cuba, from January to December, 1995, was conducted aimed at evaluating the results attained with the use of manitol in the preoperative preparation for colorectal surgery, determining its complications, analyzing its advantages, and assessing the patient, nurse and surgeon's opinion about the new procedure. The following variables were taken into account: age, preoperative diagnosis and previous operations. The percentage statistical method was used. Most of the patients were elderly, who were able to undergo surgery. There were no complications in connection with the preoperative preparation, which has the following advantages: it is simpler and more efficient that the traditional use of enemas, it is easy to apply, it saves time and resources on reducing the preoperative stay, it is considered as more comfortable for patients and nurses, and it is much more economic and effective, which was proved by surgeons during the operation.